Rams mailbag: Stopping those big early running plays, searching for a Jared Goff nickname and draft possibilities

The Rams, coming off a big victory over the New Orleans Saints, finish the third quarter of their season on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Rams shut out the Cardinals, 33-0, in London in Week 7.

With the Philadelphia Eagles coming to the Coliseum next week, the Rams cannot afford to look past the 5-6 Cardinals.

Now, on to your questions.

This is more of a statement than a question but let’s address your concern.

The Rams whiffed while trying to tackle and catch up to Saints running back Alvin Kamara on a 74-yard touchdown run.

The week before, they failed to bring down Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum.

But it’s difficult to criticize tackling by a team that just shut down the NFL’s most potent offense.

The Rams rank 16th in the league in total defense. But they are seventh in the arguably more important category of scoring defense.

That’s pretty good.

In games when the Rams have surrendered a big running play — as they did against the Saints — players and coaches most often point to an error in communication or positioning.

It’s no coincidence that two of the biggest runs against the Rams occurred early in the game.

Jacksonville’s Leonard Fournette dashed 75 yards on the first play. The Rams shut him down the rest of the game.

The Saints’ Alvin Kamara broke his run for a touchdown in the first quarter. He was limited to 13 yards the rest of the way.

The defense can eliminate big pass plays by pressuring the quarterback and playing lockdown coverage. It can eliminate big running plays by being positioned correctly and making tackles.

Sounds simple, right?

This is the NFL.

Every team has playmakers capable of outsmarting or outmaneuvering even the best defense.

Big plays are going to happen. The Rams must limit them.

As noted above, the defense has given up some big runs early in games.

But it doesn’t occur in every game, or even most of the time.

Can’t say I agree about a nonexistent pass rush in the second half.

As an example, rookie Samson Ebukam had a third-quarter sack and forced a fumble in the third quarter against the Houston Texans. He also sacked Saints quarterback Drew Brees in the third quarter.

Veteran linebacker Connor Barwin suffered a broken left forearm against the Saints and had surgery on Monday.

He is expected to be sidelined for at least a few weeks.

Ebukam will start in Barwin’s place against the Cardinals.

Another statement rather than a question, but I like your attempt at creativity. That’s always welcome in the mailbag.

Not sure the Goffenator will gain much traction.

Keep the names coming.

The Rams will be looking for cornerbacks, edge rushing linebackers and offensive tackles among others.

That does not rule out other positions, of course, but those are areas they will attempt to address.

Ideally, the Rams would like to find a tackle that can learn at the elbow of Andrew Whitworth.

The Rams have young and inexpensive tight ends in Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett and Temarrick Hemingway, who is recovering from knee surgery.

Veteran Derek Carrier, who is earning about $1 million this season, will be a free agent in 2018.

McVay appears to be happy with the tight end situations. I would not expect the Rams to spend lavishly for a free agent.